Laterally movable door and operating mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

A railroad car door of a type which is laterally movable outwardly from a door opening and slidable to one side thereof includes a pipe and crank mechanism for moving the door laterally and for sliding locking bolts into engagement with a door frame to lock the same in a closed position. An operating mechanism includes a rotatable pinion drive means which is adapted to drive racks on the locking bolts for reciprocating the same. The pinion is rotatable by means of a handle lever movable in a position parallel to the door for rotating the pinion to effectuate operation of the sliding bolts. The handle is also connected to a linkage assembly which during horizontal movement rotates the pipe and crank arms for moving the door outwardly with respect to the door opening. The linkage assembly is also connected to the handle which after it has been rotated to a position opening the locking bolt is movable in another direction to effectuate operation of the pipe and crank arms.

United States Patent Nagy [4 1 Apr. 4, 1972 LA ERAL Y MOVABLE DOOR N Primary ExaminqrKenneth Downey OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Attorney-Hilmond O. Vogel and Richard J. Myers [72] inventor: Ernest J. Nagy, Munster, Ind. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Awgnee: Pullman lncm'pc'rated' chlcago' A railroad car door of a type which is laterally movable out- [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 Wardly from a door opening and slidable to one side thereof includes a pipe and crank mechanism for moving the door PP 96,810 laterally and for sliding locking bolts into engagement with a door frame to lock the same in a closed position. An operating [52] U.S. Cl ..49/220 mechanism includes a rotatable Pinion drive means which is 51 im. Cl ..E05d 15/10 adapied drive W "8 recipmcaing [58] Field of Search ..49/210, '215, 216, 218-220, the same- The Pit"on maiable by means a handle 49/362 movable in a position parallel to the door for rotating the pinion to effectuate operation of the sliding bolts. The handle 56] References Cited is also connected to a linkage assembly which during horizontal movement rotates the pipe and crank arms for moving the UNITED STATES PATENTS door outwardly with respect to the door opening. The linkage assembly is also connected to the handle which after it has 3,413,758 P3158811 been rotated to a position p g the locking bolt is movable 2,553,637 5/1951 De Camp ..49/216 X in another direction to effectuate operation of the pipe and crank arms.

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LATERALLY MOVABLE DOOR AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The field of art to which this invention pertains is railway box cars having door openings and in particular to a laterally movable and slidable door for said opening.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the prior art laterally movable doors generally include vertical pipes with crank arms suitably secured to the sides of the car in sliding relation whereupon during rotation of the pipes the door is moved outwardly from a door opening. In order to effectively secure the door in its closed position locking bolt arrangements have been provided which are movable in reciprocating fashion for locking the door in its closed position. Such doors generally have included a pair of separate mechanisms for operating the sliding bolts and the pipes and crank arms. Single mechanisms which provide for operation of both the crank arms and the locking bolts have been provided and these have generally included complex gear and camming arrangements requiring a large number of operating elements.

THE SUMMARY It is the prime object of the present invention to provide an improved laterally movable door operating mechanism wherein locking bolts may be moved between open and closed positions by means of a single lever which also is effective to rotate the pipe and crank arm arrangement of the door for moving the door laterally with respect to the door opening of a railway car. This is achieved by the utilization of a handoperated lever which is rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise directions parallel to the door for moving the locking bolts, the actuating lever then being movable in a direction initially outwardly arcuately and inwardly with respect to the door for moving a linkage arrangement which is effective to provide for rotation of the operating shaft or pipe and crank arm arrangement thereby laterally positioning the door relative to the door opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view with portions thereof broken away illustrating an improved laterally movable door and operating mechanism therefor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a door operating mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 showing a manually operated lever in another operating position;

F IG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5 showing another operational view of a door operating mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door operating mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A typical laterally movable door for railway cars is shown in the Bailey et al. US. Pat. No. 3,238,57l. Such a door is moved laterally into a door opening in substantially flush relation with the sides of a railway car. Lateral movement is generally accomplished by means of vertically extending pipes or shafts which are provided at their lower and upper ends with crank arms which during turning movement of the same provides for the lateral movement of the door. The crank arms at their upper and lower ends are slidable on tracks so that the door may be moved to one side of the opening. Further, as shown in the Bailey et al. patent, the door is provided with locking bolts which are movable laterally with respect to the door into locking engagement with the door frame to secure the door in sealed and locked relation. In the aforementioned patent two pipes or shafts and crank arms are utilized so that both sides of the door are moved laterally outwardly. In the door of the present invention only one vertical shaft or pipe is utilized for moving one side of the door laterally outwardly of the opening. The upper and lower horizontal tracks are sloped angularly inwardly toward the other side of the door and with respect to the door opening so that the other door side is moved into a flush relation during the sliding of the door into its closed position. This type of arrangement is also disclosed in the Walters US. Pat. No. 1,051,790.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 a railway car includes a car side 10 having a door opening 11 disposed therein. The door opening 11 is defined by an upper plate 12 and a lower side sill 13 and side frame members 14. A laterally movable sliding door is generally indicated at 15 and includes transversely spaced vertical end structural members 16 suitably connected to upper and lower horizontal structural members 17. The door 15 also includes a plurality of transversely extending channel shaped reinforcing members 18 suitably connected to a metal sheet 19 forming the side of the door 15. The present door 15 utilizes a single sheet 19 though it is of course conventional in the art to provide doors of double wall construction wherein laterally spaced sheets are provided with reinforcements generally included on the inside of the door 15. A lower track is designated at 20, the said track being similar to the aforementioned Walters patent in that it is disposed closer to the side sill 13 at the left-hand edge of the door and farther away from the side sill at the right-hand edge. Thus the track 20 is inclined inwardly toward the left-hand edge. An upper track is designated at 20 which is suitably connected on the upper plate 12, the said track 20' being generally vertically aligned with respect to the lower track 20. A pair of transversely spaced roller tracks 21 of conventional construction are supported by the lower track 20. The roller assembly 21 on the left-hand side of the door 15 is connected to a stub shaft or pipe and swivel assembly 22 which is connected by means of brackets 23 to the wall sheet 19. The assembly 22 provides for swiveling movement of the door 15 with respect to the roller assembly 21 and is vertically adjustable in conventional fashion.

On the right-hand side of the door 15 as viewed in FIG. 1, a vertical shaft or pipe 25 is provided. The pipe 25 is suitably supported for rotating movement on brackets 26 supported on the wall sheet 19 and also extends through the reinforcing members 18. Lower crank arms 27 are connected to the pipe 25 and to the right-hand roller assembly 21 in conventional fashion. The upper end of the pipe 25 is provided with a crank arm 28 which extends inwardly and is connected to a slide member 29 suitably retained for sliding movement in the track 20'. A similar slide member 31 on the left-hand side of the door is also contained with the track 20 and is connected by means of a bracket 32 to the upper edge of the door 15.

A linkage assembly is generally designated at 33. The lower portion of the shaft 25 is provided with upper and lower aligned apertured levers 34 which are pivotally connected to a link 35 by means of a vertical pivot pin connection 36. An adjusting rod 37 is suitably connected to the link 35 and to a horizontally extending link member 38. The link member 38 is adapted to be reciprocated by means of an operating mechanism generally designated at 39. The door 15 is suitably locked in sealing relation within the door opening 11 by means of a plurality of upper and lower horizontally reciprocable locking bolts or fingers 40. The inner ends of the locking bolts 40 are provided with racks 41. As best shown in FIG. 1 a lower housing is generally designated at 42 the same being suitably supported on wall sheet 19. The housing 42 encloses the operating mechanism 39. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a vertical bolt 43 extends upwardly from the housing 42 and is adapted to project from the upper end of the door 15 for engaging the upper plate 12 in locking relation. The vertical bolt 43 also is provided with a rack 44 at its lower end. A lower bolt 45 is adapted to be reciprocated downwardly into the locked position shown in FIG. 1 where it engages a portion of the side sill 13 adjacent the door opening 11 in locked relation. The bolt 45 is also provided with a rack 46. The relationship of the racks within the housing 42 is best shown in FIG. 9 and suitable quide rollers 47 are disposed within the housing 42 and connected to the wall sheet 19 for properly guiding the racks in their respective movements. As shown in FIG. 4, a drive gear or pinion 48 engages each of the racks 41, 44 and 46 for reciprocating the same. The drive gear 48 is connected to a shaft 49 suitably connected to the wall sheet 19. The drive gear 48 includes a hinge and actuating member 50 which is suitably connected thereto by means of a key 51. The member 50 also includes a hinge boss 52. A nut 53 and washer 54 are suitably connected to one end of the shaft 49 for securing the member 50 in rigid relation relative to the pinion 48.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a manually operated lever or bar 55 includes at one end parallel fork members 56. The ends of the fork members 56 are swivelly or hingedly connected to the boss 52 by'means of a hinge pin 57. The fork members 56 also support for rotational movement a trunnion 58 which includes laterally extending projecting portions 58' which support pivot members 59 pivotally connected to the fork members 56. A sleeve 60 includes a cylindrical ring 61, the said sleeve being rigidly secured within a bore 62 provided at one end of the link member 38 as best shown in FIG. 6. The ring 61 retains the end of the link 38 around the sleeve 60 which is rotatably mounted within the bore 62. Thus since the trunnion 58 is mounted between the fingers 56 the manual lever or bar 55 may be moved in clockwise and counterclockwise relation about the axis of the pinion 48 and shaft 49.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stops 63 are suitably supported on the housing 42 to limit the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the lever 55.

As best shown in FIG. I, the racks 41 of the upper bolts or fingers 40 are also supported within a housing 64 which may be similar to the housing 42. The bolt 43 extends through the housing 64 and is engaged by a pinion 65 suitably pivoted within the housing 64. The pinion 65 also engages rack teeth 66 on the bolt 43 whereupon vertical movement of the bolt 43 provides for rotation of the pinion 65 which in turn engages the racks 41 to reciprocate the fingers 40 into locked and unlocked relation with respect to the side door frames 14.

THE OPERATION In the position shown in FIG. I, the door is disposed in locked position relative to the door opening. The handle bar or manual lever 55 is against one of the stops 63 and during rotational movement in a clockwise direction of the lever 55 to the position wherein the same is against the other stop 63, the pinion 48 is rotated whereupon the lower racks 41 provide for inward movement of the locking bolts 40 to an unlocked position. Simultaneously, the rack 44 provides for downward movement of the bolt 43 which in turn is moved to an unlocked position. As the bolt 43 is moved downwardly the pinion 65 provides for the inward movement of the upper bolts 40 to their unlocked position. Thus the clockwise movement of the hand bar 55 within a range of 90 provides for complete disengagement of the ends of the bolts from the door frame.

The lever 55 is now in the position shown in FIG. 5 and since it is in horizontal alignment with the link 38, the lever 55 may now be pivoted about the trunnion pivot pins 59 outwardly in an arc to a position shown in FIG. 9 and thereupon inwardly toward the door to the position shown in FIG. 7. During this swinging movement of the lever 55 the link 38, adjusting rod 37 and link 35 provide for rotational movement of the shaft 25 by virtue of the pivotal connection 36 to the levers 34. Such rotation provides for pivotal movement of the crank arms 27 and 28, to actuate right-hand roller assembly 21 and slide member 29 so that the door 15 is moved laterally outwardly with respect to the door opening. In the position shown in FIG. 1, the crank arms 27 and 28 project directly laterally outwardly with respect to the door 15 for their respective connections to the roller assembly 21 and slide member 29. Thus turning movement of the crank arms 27 and 28 by means of the shaft or pipe 25 provides for the crank arms 27 and 28 to be moved to a position parallel to the door which now has been moved laterally outwardly relative to the door opening. During this lateral movement the left-hand swivel assembly 22, end bracket 32 and slide member 31 provide for pivotal movement of the door about its left side as viewed in FIG. 1. The door may now be moved longitudinally on the tracks 20 and 20 to one side of the door opening.

In order to close the door 15 the door is moved back into registry with the door opening wherein the left-hand side of the door is disposed substantially flush. The lever 55 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 7 by pivoting the same about its vertical axis on the boss 52. The link 38 causes the crank arms 27 and 28 to assume the position shown in FIG. 1 which provides for the right-hand side of the door being laterally moved inwardly into closed relation. In FIG. 5, the closed position of the lever 55 is illustrated. By now moving the lever 55 from the position shown in FIG. 5 in a counterclockwise direction the bolts 40 are actuated by means of the pinion 48 and racks 41, 44, and 46 to their locked position shown in FIG. 1. The lever 55 is now against the lower stop 63 and the door 15 is completely locked. As shown in FIG. 1, the link 38 is disposed outwardly and over one of the fork members 56 which prevents any outward movement of the lever 55 in the position indicated. Only when the lever 55 is moved to the position indicated in FIG. 5 wherein the link 38 and lever 55 are in horizontal alignment can the lever be swung outwardly in an arcuate path and then inwardly for actuating the shaft 25.

In the closed position of the door the lever 55 is positioned vertically and in parallel relation to the wall sheet 19. The same is true when it is rotated to its bolt actuating position. In the open position the said lever 55 is also disposed parallel to the wall sheet 19 as best shown in FIG. 7. Thus the present door arrangement is particularly advantageous in that the door and its associated parts are at all times in the closed or open position within the A.A.R. clearance line requirements. Further, simultaneous movement of the locking bolts is effected in a simple and positive manner with a minimum number of parts and minimum maintenance requirements. The same lever which actuates the operation of the bolts by merely swinging the same provides for the lateral movement required by the door. Thus a greatly simplified and effective construction has been provided which meets the requirements of ease of operation, secure locking, simplicity of design, and minimum maintenance.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a door for a railway car having at least one rotatable vertical shaft including crank means supporting said door on said car for lateral movement with respect thereto, horizontally movable locking bolt means engageable with portion of a car adjacent a door opening for locking the same, the improvement of a door operating mechanism comprising:

drive means rotatably supported on said door on a first axis normal to a vertical side of said door,

driven means on said locking bolt means engaged by said drive means,

a lever,

means connecting said lever to said drive means for hinging movement about a second axis which is laterally disposed with respect to said first axis and is substantially parallel to said venical side of said door,

said lever in one position parallel to said side being movable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions whereupon said drive means is rotated about said first axis and said driven means is actuated to move said bolt means between unlocked and locked positions,

linkage means connected at one end to said shaft,

means pivotally connecting said other end of said linkage means to said lever about a third axis laterally spaced and parallel to said second axis, and

said lever during said hinging movement about said second axis outwardly in an arcuate path providing movement of said shaft and crank means to laterally move said door relative to said door opening.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said lever being movable about said second axis from a position substantially parallel to said vertical side of said door on one side of the first axis, to a position substantially parallel to said vertical side on another side of said first axis.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said linkage means at said one end including pivotal connecting means connected to said shaft about a fourth vertical axis.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3,

said drive means including a stub shaft and pinion mounted thereon, and

said driven means including a rack.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

said lever including fork members in one position straddling the first axis of said pinion,

said pivotal connecting means of said linkage means including a trunnion pivotally connected to said fork members,

means pivotally connecting said trunnion to said linkage means, and

said hinged connecting means including a pivot member connected to end portions of said fork members.

6, The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said lever being movable initially in said clockwise position approximately 90 from a first position whereupon said locking bolts are actuated, and

said lever being swingable thereafter to a second position outwardly and inwardly from said vertical side in an arc of approximately 180 to provide for said lateral movement of said door 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said lever in said first position being disposed parallel to said door, and

said lever in said second position being moved from said parallel position to another parallel position.

8. In combination with a door for a railway car having at least one rotatable vertical shaft including crank means supporting said door on said car for lateral movement with respect thereto, horizontally movable locking bolt means engageable with portion of a car adjacent a door opening for locking the same, the improvement of a door operating mechanism comprising:

a stub shaft and drive pinion mounted on said door,

a rack connected to said locking bolt means in driven engagement with said shaft for reciprocating said bolt means between locked and unlocked positions,

a hinge member connected to said pinion to rotate the same,

a hinge element on said hinge member,

a manual lever swingably connected at one end to said hinge element,

linkage means connected at one end to said vertical shaft,

pivot means connecting said linkage means to said lever,

said pivot means being laterally spaced from said hinge member and substantially parallel therewith,

said lever being rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise for actuating said pinion and rack, and

said lever being swingable on said hinge element in an arc outwardly and inwardly with respect to said door for moving said linkage means horizontally to rotate said vertical shaft.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 7,

said lever during said rotation being disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to said door.

l0 The invention in accordance with claim 9, said hmge element and said pivot means during swinging movement of said lever having axes disposed vertically.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 10,

said pivot means including a trunnion,

said lever including fork members to and between which said trunnion is connected and to which said hinge element is connected.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11,

the axis of said trunnion being in alignment with said stub shaft during clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of said lever.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 11,

said lever in a bolt locking position being disposed vertically, and

said linkage means being disposed over one of said fork members precluding swinging of said lever in said arc outwardly, and said lever when rotated to a horizontal position having said fork members straddling said linkage means whereby said lever is swingable in said arc. 

1. In combination with a door for a railway car having at least one rotatable vertical shaft including crank means supporting said door on said car for lateral movement with respect thereto, horizontally movable locking bolt means engageable with portion of a car adjacent a door opening for locking the same, the improvement of a door operating mechanism comprising: drive means rotatably supported on said door on a first axis normal to a vertical side of said door, driven means on said locking bolt means engaged by said drive means, a lever, means connecting said lever to said drive means for hinging movement about a second axis which is laterally disposed with respect to said first axis and is substantially parallel to said vertical side of said door, said lever in one position parallel to said side being movable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions whereupon said drive means is rotated about said first axis and said driven means is actuated to move said bolt means between unlocked and locked positions, linkage means connected at one end to said shaft, means pivotally connecting said other end of said linkage means to said lever about a third axis laterally spaced and parallel to said second axis, and said lever during said hinging movement about said second axis outwardly in an arcuate path providing movement of said shaft and crank means to laterally move said door relative to said door opening.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said lever being movable about said second axis from a position substantially parallel to said vertical side of said door on one side of the first axis, to a position substantially parallel to said vertical side on another side of said first axis.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said linkage means at said one end including pivotal connecting means connected to said shaft about a fourth vertical axis.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said drive means including a stub shaft and pinion mounted thereon, and said driven means including a rack.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, said lever including fork members in one position straddling the first axis of said pinion, said pivotal connecting means of said linkage means including a trunnion pivotally connected to said fork members, means pivotally connecting said trunnion to said linkage means, and said hinged connecting means including a pivot member connected to end portions of said fork members.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said lever being movable initially in said clockwise position approximately 90* from a first position whereupon said locking bolts are actuated, and said lever being swingable thereafter to a second position outwardly and inwardly from said vertical side in an arc of approximately 180* to provide for said lateral movement of said door.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said lever in said first position being disposed parallel to said door, and said lever in said second position being moved from said parallel position to another parallel position.
 8. In combination with a door for a railway car Having at least one rotatable vertical shaft including crank means supporting said door on said car for lateral movement with respect thereto, horizontally movable locking bolt means engageable with portion of a car adjacent a door opening for locking the same, the improvement of a door operating mechanism comprising: a stub shaft and drive pinion mounted on said door, a rack connected to said locking bolt means in driven engagement with said shaft for reciprocating said bolt means between locked and unlocked positions, a hinge member connected to said pinion to rotate the same, a hinge element on said hinge member, a manual lever swingably connected at one end to said hinge element, linkage means connected at one end to said vertical shaft, pivot means connecting said linkage means to said lever, said pivot means being laterally spaced from said hinge member and substantially parallel therewith, said lever being rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise for actuating said pinion and rack, and said lever being swingable on said hinge element in an arc outwardly and inwardly with respect to said door for moving said linkage means horizontally to rotate said vertical shaft.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 7, said lever during said rotation being disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to said door.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 9, said hinge element and said pivot means during swinging movement of said lever having axes disposed vertically.
 11. The invention in accordance with claim 10, said pivot means including a trunnion, said lever including fork members to and between which said trunnion is connected and to which said hinge element is connected.
 12. The invention in accordance with claim 11, the axis of said trunnion being in alignment with said stub shaft during clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of said lever.
 13. The invention in accordance with claim 11, said lever in a bolt locking position being disposed vertically, and said linkage means being disposed over one of said fork members precluding swinging of said lever in said arc outwardly, and said lever when rotated to a horizontal position having said fork members straddling said linkage means whereby said lever is swingable in said arc. 